Link for metal chains



-(No Model.)

E. B. HUNT. LINK PoR METAL CHAINS.v

/Patented June 23, 1896.

UNITED STATESt PATENT; OFFICE.

ELZO B. HUNT, OF HARVARD, ILLINOIS.

LINK FOR METAL CHAINS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 562,612, dated June 23, 1896.

. Application iiled March 5,1896. Serial No. 581,924. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may cancel/7a.-

Be it known that I, ELZQ B. HUNT, of Harvard, in the county of McHenry and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Links for Metal Chains and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in wire link for metal chains; and it has for its object to provide a novel form of link especially adapted to certain purposes and at the same time of extremely simple, strong, and durable construction.

The invention consists in the matters herein described, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichlFigure l is a View of any suitable wire blank from which the link is formed. Fig. 2 is a view of the same after the S shaped bend constituting the first step in forming the link has been made. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same after the loops have been formed upon each end and the terminal ends inserted through the bends of the S-shaped cross-bar preparatory to interlocking them. Fig. 4 is an edge view of the partiallyformed link shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. Fig. 6 is aplan view of the completed link. Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 7 7 of Fig. 6, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Suitable machinery will preferably be employed for automatically cutting the blank from a continuous roll of wire, bending it into the desired form, and interlocking the ends of the blank to form the completed link illustrated in Fig. 6.

I herein describe, simply as a matter of convenience, the method of forming the link by hand with simple tools or implements.

A straight blank A of suitable length, usually of drawn metal wire, is bent between its ends and preferably at its middle to form a cross-bar a, which will be of S-shape, the

ends a a2 of the blank projecting oppositely from Sshaped cross-bar and parallel with `each other, as indicated clearlyin Fig. 2.

Each portion a. a2 is next bent upon itself about midway of its length to form an open loop, designated as a whole by A A2, respectively, and Aeach end portion a," d2 is again bent, at a point a short distance from its eX- treme end, at right angles to the general plane of the link. These extreme ends a2 t4 are inserted beneath bends b b', respectively, of the S-shaped cross-bar a in the same direction, so as to project from the same side of the link, as more clearly shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5. rlhese end portions a2 a4 are next brought together across the middle part a5 of the S- shaped cross-bar a, and are then bent to form eye-loops a6 a?, which eye-loops are then interlocked with each other, as shown more clearly in Figs. (i and 7. These loops a6 aT are so arranged as to lie as nearly as possible in the same plane with the general plane of the link, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 7.

Preferably the side portions of each of the loops A A2 will be made straight throughout, so that the general conformation of the link as a whole will be approximately oblong-rectangular, with rounded ends. In forming a chain the loop A2 of the next link will be interlocked in a familiar manner with the loop A' of the link described, as indicated in Fig. 6.

A link constructed in accordance with the foregoing description is extremely strong and is not liable to become distorted in use. It is to be noted also that the link is so formed that it is practically smooth and continuous at its sides, and that the interlocked ends lie nearly within the 4generalV plane of the link, so that the link is especially adapted for running smoothly and freely over or through i guides and the like. Moreover, the said interlocked ends, in conjunction with the transverse part of the link over which they are secured, form a very strong cross -bar with which a hook or toggle may be engaged in case it is desired to lengthen or shorten the chain only a half link. VAt the same time the constru ction of the link is very simple, so that it may be rapidly and cheaply made.

I claim as my inventionl. As a new article of manufacture, a link formed of a single piece of malleable metal IOO and comprising an S-shaped cross-bar, oppositely-extending integral loops the terminal ends of which are inserted through that bend of the cross-bar opposite the one with which the loop is directly united, and the extreme terminal ends interlocked With each other, substantially as described.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a link formed of a single piece of malleable metal, comprising an S-shaped transverse central portion, oppositely-extending integral loops formed upon each end of said S-shaped portion the terminal ends of which loops being inserted through that bend thereof opposite the one With which the loop is directly united, and the eXtreme terminal ends being brought together across the central part of said S- shaped portion and interlocked by means of eye-loops formed upon the end of each, sub.- stantially as set forth.

3. As a new article ofmanufacture, a link formed of a single piece of malleable metal bent between its ends to form main loops separated by an S-shaped crossbar, one end of which is continuous With the side of one main loop the opposite side of the other main loop being continuous with the other end of said cross-bar, the free ends of the metal being bent around the cross-bar to project from the same side of the link and the projecting ends being interlocked over said cross-bar, substantially as described.

In testimony that l claim the foregoing as my invention I affix my signature, in presence of tWo Witnesses, this 19th day of February, A. D. 1896.

ELZO- B. HUNT. Witnesses:

J. L, KINsoN, L. E. NORTON. 

